Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

oPt

OPT: Closing West Bank charities dirty war against Hamas: Haneya

GAZA, Jul 09, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) -- Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister of Hamas Ismail Haneya said on Wednesday that the Israeli closure of charity organizations in the West Bank is 'a dirty war against Hamas movement.'

Haneya also slammed the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank for joining the 'war with Israel against the charity organizations in the West Bank due to internal hatred.'

He accused both Israel and the PNA in the West Bank of closing 137 charities, adding that the PNA closed 100 charity organizations and Israel was responsible for the rest.

'Closing charity organizations that serve the Palestinian society in the West Bank cities of Nablus and Ramallah is a real crime against humanity,' said Haneya, who called to reopen the organizations 'which serve poor families.'

The Israeli army on Wednesday continued its crackdown against West Bank civil associations and charities that are said to be linked with Hamas movement.

Early in the morning, about 40 Israeli army vehicles stormed West Bank city of Nablus and the soldiers broke into the municipality building and closed it.

The crackdown started in Nablus on Monday when the Israeli forces entered the city and shut down four charities, saying they were affiliated with Hamas.

On Tuesday, the Israeli forces also closed a shopping mall in Nablus and confiscated its property. According to the order, any Palestinian who enters the mall after August 15 will be arrested for five years.